Piper Jaffray analyst William Quirk upgraded Myriad Genetics to Overweight and raised his price target for the shares to $53 from $38. After updating his reimbursement model for Myriad's Prolaris, Vectra, and GeneSight, the analyst believes the company has $9 of earnings per share power. Quirk now has increased confidence in Myriad's ability to beat Street expectations and admits he's been wrong on the shares.

11/01/18

PIPR

11/01/18NO CHANGETarget $53PIPROverweight

Myriad Genetics should be bought on weakness, says Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray analyst William Quirk notes that Myriad Genetics' shares are off about 15% on two items, neither of which he believes will have a lasting effect on the company's business. First is an FDA safety communication about genetics tests used to predict drug response, he points out, adding that the letter "has teeth," but likely for consumer-oriented tests. The second is the 23&Me approval for a consumer-based pharmacogenomics test, which could certainly open up more testing, but within the consumer-driven, not physician-driven channel, he argues. Accordingly, Quirk recommends buying shares on the pullback, and reiterates an Overweight rating and $53 price target on the stock.

Morgan Stanley analyst Steve Beuchaw said today's move lower in shares of Myriad Genetics "reflects confusion" on the regulatory backdrop for enetic tests and he believes the fact that 23andMe received an FDA approval yesterday for a consumer-facing pharmacogenetic screen is actually a positive for Myriad. Direct-to-consumer tests are not a substitute for clinical lab tests, as noted by the FDA, said Beuchaw, who believes uptake of consumer genomic tests, including their promotion by 23andMe, is a tailwind for Myriad and the category. He views the pullback as a buying opportunity and keeps an Overweight rating on Myriad Genetics shares.

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